'Writing Inspired by an Island in the Atlantic'

It has been a strange week, as far as the Internet goes anyway. For many expats living in Spain and the Canary Islands, the vagaries, confusion and general unreliability of the established telephone company, Movistar (or Telefonica as it used to be called) tend to both mystify and amuse on some days, but generally add to life’s anger and frustration on others.

‘Letters from the Atlantic’ - Article Withdrawn

This article has now been published in Barrie’s latest book ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands, and is withdrawn from this website.

Many will have read stories and been taught about one of the UK’s national heroes, Horatio Nelson; that brave son of Norfolk who taught the Spanish a thing or two during his famous battles, his “mesmerising personality”, complicated love scandal and heroic death. The stories surrounding Nelson are, of course, based upon the British point of view. Are they true? How about looking at Nelson from the Spanish and Canarian perspective?

‘Letters from the Atlantic’ - Article Withdrawn

This article has now been published in Barrie’s latest book ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands, and is withdrawn from this website.

Getting the work-life balance right is not easy for many people, and for many juggling with earning enough to pay the rent or mortgage, food and other bills, there is often very little choice in the amount of free time available. Time to spend with families and friends is important, and I often admire the Spanish tradition of putting family life first whenever possible.

‘Letters from the Atlantic’ - Article Withdrawn

This article has now been published in Barrie’s latest book ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands, and is withdrawn from this website.

I know that many British expats living in Europe are feeling very anxious about the pound-euro exchange rate at the present time. Although not unexpected, Brexit has started a period of considerable financial uncertainty for expats, which will take some time to resolve. Many expats rely upon an income from the UK, be it a salary or a company or state pension, and even a small difference in the exchange rate will make a considerable difference to their standard of living. Gone are those heady days when one pound would buy 1.50 euro; even at that time many of us realised that the pound was grossly overvalued, and that a day of reckoning would happen in the future. Even so, it was nice whilst it lasted.

‘Letters from the Atlantic’ - Article Withdrawn

This article has now been published in Barrie’s latest book ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands, and is withdrawn from this website.